Needle loom



E. w. sToNE NEEDLE LOOM Sept. 15, 1931.

Filed April 12, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet E. W. STONE NEEDLE LOOM Sept. 15, 1931.

Filed April 12, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 /N vf/v'rcRf WWW' ATT'ORNEY Sept. 15, 1931. E. w. sToNE NI'JEDLB LOOM Filed April 12, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 /NI/NTOR M71: 2221 BY W ATTo RNEY Sept. 15, 1931. E. w. sTo'NE 1,823298 NEEDLE LOOM Filed April 12, 1980 ssneets-shaet 4 ATTORNEY E. w. STONE NEEDLE LOOM Sept. 15, 1931.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 /NVENTOR Filed April .12, 1930 ATTORNEY ?tented 'ept 15, 1931 EDWIN STONE, OF LONG'MEADOW, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 BIGELOW'- 3 SANFORD CARPET C0. INC., OF

OEMASSCHSETTS THOMPSONVILLE, CONNEGTICT, A CORPORATION N'EEDLE Loox I Application filed April 12, 1980. Serial No. 448,6l57.`

This invention relates to looms and more partiularly to mechanism for Operating the weft inserting needles.

Needles have been employed heretofore in various types of looms to insert the weft threads, and in some needle looms all of the weft threads are inserted by a needle or needles, while in other constructions, some of the weft threads are laid by one or more needles while the remaining weft threads are laid by a Shuttle or shuttles.

These needles have been operated heretofore`from a going part of the loom' by mechanical connections between the needle and Operating 'part of the loom, and while such mechanical connections operate the needles more or less satisfactorily for many weaving Operations, they are open to the objection that they cannot be readilyI adjusted to vary the speed at which .the needle is operated or the timing of its operation relative to the lay movement or other moving part of the loom.

The present invention therefore relates to 'a novel construction in which the needle is operable from a separate and distinct source of power from that employed to drive the loom,- and as a result the operation of the needle may be readily controlledto conform to any variations that may be produced in the loom operation. i

1 One important feature of the present invention' resides in a hydraulioally operated weft inserting'needle. Another feature of the invention resides in an electric motor operable independently of the driving mechanism for the loom to control theneedle operation.

Another feature of the invention resides a loom provided' with one hydraulic means for inserting the needle i'n the shed and `av second hydraulic-v means for needle. p pAfurtherfeatureof the'invention resides retracting the in'm'eans ocont-rolled' by a-going part of. the

loom for initiating 'and timing the hydraulic movement of the needle.

A further .feature of the invention resides in means whereby vthe'mechavnism for controlling the operation of the needlemay be w chronizing the movement readily varied to. conform to changes that may be made in the loom operation.

Still a further feature of the present invention resides in means for controlling the power operation of the needle so as to synchronize the needle movementwith the operations of the loom.

As a result of the present invention whereby the needle is operated by a source of power that is separate and independent of the driving mechanismf for the loom the starting and stopping of the needle and the speed of its movement can be readily contrlled in any desired timed relation with the loom operation. Furthermore the hydraulic operation of the needle gives a smooth and quiet movement, and while the needle Operating mechanism of the present invention may be used upon various forms of needle looms, it is particularly well adapted for use upon looms of:

extreme widths.

p Other features of the invention andlnovel combination of parts .in addition to the above will be hereinafter desoribedin connection With the which illustrate one goo practical form of the invention.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a needle loom provided with 'the needle Operating meohanism of the present invention;

Fig. 1a is a transverseA sectional view through the needle and its supporting means; w

Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale is an end elevation of the partsshown ,in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a. verticalsectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged Vertical sectional view taken on the line of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side view of mechanism' for synof the lay and needle actuatigmechanism;

, Fig. 61fs an end view of the'mechanisin of Fig. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of mechansmfor actuating. one of the oscillating elements) of Fig. 5 frompthe loom cam shaft;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view' of ineans for accom anying drawings v the front of the loom,

the harnesses 5. The pile pro-l connecting the Operating cable to the needle; and

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring for controlling the loom Operating motor and the needle Operating motors.

The needle Operating mechanism of the present invention is illustrated in connection with an Axminster loom of well known construction but it will be understood that the features of the lpresent invention may be employed in connection with various types of looms having a weft needle. w

The loom shown has the end frames 1 for supporting the Operating parts, and at the front of the loom is provided the usual breast beam 2 adj acent which is supported the spike of 'take-up roll (not shown) but which is drivenby the worm gear 3. At the rear of the breast beam is provided the usual lay 4 supported for movement toward and from and the shed is formed by shiftin ducing tu ts are supplied to the fabric the tuft tube frames 6 carried by the chains 7' as usual, and the tuft forming yarns are severed by the knives 8 and 9. The loom is driven by an electric m'otor 10 mounted upon the loom frame and having the pinion 11 which drives the large gear 12 adapted to operate the various parts of the'loom, in a well known manner,

In the embodiment of the invention :shown the weft inserting needle 13' and its operating mechanisrn is supported separately and independently of the loom frame, and 'to this end these parts are mounted upon the supporting frame 14 disposed in spaced relation to the side frame 1 of the loom' as will be apparent from Fig. 1, and the lower ends of the legs 15 of the frame 14 are shown as bolted to a base plate 16.

The needle 13 in the .construction shown is slidably mounted in the slotted tube 17 which is supported by spaced brackets 18 secured to the 'upper face of the frame 14, and the brackets 18 are provided with the antifriction rollers 19 adapted to support the weight of the needle.

The means shown for moving the needle 13 lengthwise 'of the tube 17 into and out of the shed consists of a cable 20 the upper run of which is supported by the grooved pulleys 21, 22 disposed near the opposite ends of the tube 17 and the rollers are supported by the ,bracket's 23, 24. The cable 20 passes from the pulleys 21, 22 about the 'grooved pullleys 25 'supported by brackets secured to the frame 14 and then downwardly about the grooved Operating drum or scroll 26, thel ends of'the cable'being-adjustably secured to the drum to vary the cable tension. The needle 13 is connected to the Operating cable 20 by. providing the needle with the'laterally extending plate 27 having the removable section 28 .ing .means so far described that the needle 13 may be moved into the shed by rotating the drum 26 in one direction and may be revtracted by rotating the drum in the opposite direction. The drum 26 'is rigidly secured to the transversely extending shaft 29 which is journaled inbearings mounted upon the frame 14 and the shaft 29 is provided with an Operating pinion 30.

The needle shown 1s relatively long since it is associated with a wide loom, .and it is therefore necessary to impart a long stroke to the needle. The drum Operating pinion 30 is therefore shown as operated by a toothed sector 31 which is rigidly secured to and supported by the shaft 32 journaled in bearings secured to the upper portion of the supporting frame 14. The shaft 32 is provided with the Operating gear 33, the arrangement being such that the rotation of the gear 33 through a small angle will operate through the connections described to. move the needle a substantial distance. i

As above stated an important feature of the present'invention resides in hydraulic means for Operating the needle 13. It is apparent that the hydraulic Operating mechanism may be variously constructed and the means shown consists of two independently operable hydraulic devices, one being provided to insert the needle and the other to retract the needle. The arrangement is such that-the speed and timing of the needle insertion and retraction may be controlled independently to accommodate any dsired condition of loom operation.

In the construction illustrated the operating gear 33 is rotated in one direction by a rack 34 and in lthe opposite direction by the vof a bolt 38 to a transversely extending bar 39 of the hydraulic Operating device 40, and the rack 35 has its lower end similarly secured to the bar 39 of the hydraulic Operating device '41. 4

The hydraulicdevices 40 and 41 are or may I be similar in construction and may o erate 1n a well known manner, the description of one will therefore suflice for both.

As will be apparent from Fig.- 4 the hyi draulic device 40 consists-ofthe oil containing cylinder, the lower end 42 of .which may rest directly uponthe'base plate 16 and may be secured thereto by means of. the clevis 43.

Within this cylinder is .slidably mounted the piston 44 having the' 'upwardly' extending' push-rods 45 that extend through oil tight bushings 46 mounted in the cover p'ate 47 of the cylinder and the upper ends of the rods 45 are secured to the cross bar 39. i Movement of the piston 44 within the cylinder is produced by eausing the oil 48 to flow from one side of the piston to the other through the oil ducts 49 formed in the piston and which communicate with the oil passage 50 formed in'the piston above and below to communicate with the oil chamber above the piston.

The arrangement is such that if the oil is caused to flow from through the piston, as indicated b rows, into the lower Chamber, be forced upwardly by the oil the piston, while if the oil is the art-he piston will pressure below caused to flow in the opposite direction in the ducts 49 the 'piston will be lowered'.'

In the hydraulic construction illustrated it it not necessary to provide Operating valves to control the movement of the piston 44,

i since this is accomplished by providing a without producing a sudden shock or jar, b

- but' as shown is adapted rotating propeller or pump 51 that rotates within a clearance space formed in the central portion of the piston, as shown in Fig. 4. The propeller 51 is supported and driven i by the splined shaft 52, the lower portion of which is journaled in a bearing 53 secure'd to the upper portion of the piston 44. The .shaft 52 is driven by a small motor 54 the rotor 55 of which is provided with a hollow shaft adapted to slidably or telescopically receive the splined shaft 52. The motor 54 is mounted'upon the cylinder head 47, the arrangement being such that when the propeller 51 is rotated by the motor 54 to hydraulically lift the piston 44, the shaft 52 will slide upwardly within the rotor shaft 55.

It will be seen from what has just been said that when it is desired to move the rack 34 upwardlyto move the needle 13 in one direction, this may be accomplished by starting the motor to drive the propeller 51 and cause it' to force the The motor 54 may be ariously constructed to be operated from the three-phase eircuit to be described.

When the propeller 51 is not being rotated by its motor the piston 44 may be forced -downwardly in its cylinder by'exe'rting a downward pressure upon the cross bar 39, as this will cause the oil to pass from below the piston to above the piston through the ducts 49 and pa-ssages 50 in the opposite direction to that indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4. ,The movement of the piston 44 downwardly is arrested at the end of its stroke,

providing in the lower portion of the cylinder the baflie ring 56 supported by the Springs 57, the arrangement being such that this baflle will close the entrance to the ducts 49 just before the piston strikes the lower end of its cylinder.

The hydrauliemovement of the piston 44 arrested at any point 'along its the upper Chamber vt-herack 35 to retract 1piston 44 upwardly.

- the spacers 58 the upper ends of which are adapted to engage abutments upon the piston head 47. The operation of the device is such that if the upward movement of the piston is path of travel, the motor Will Continue to rotate and force the oil from one passage 50 to the other to support the piston in that position.

The hydraulic device 40 operates in the manner described to raise the rack 34 to insert the needle 13, and the hydraulic device 41 operates in a similar manner to raise the needle, it being understood that the device 41 is provided with an Operating motor 59 similar to the motor 54 above described. One of the motors 54, 59 remains idle while the other operates, and as the Operating motor forces its piston and rackupwardly the gear 33 will move'the other rack downwardly to lower the piston connected thereto.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the `needle movement may be Controlled as desired by starting and stopping the motors 54, 59, but it is essential that the movement of the needle be accurately timed and synchronized with the loom operation, and this is satisfactorily accomplished by the electrical connections which Iwill now be described.

The motor 10 for driving the loom may be operated from the same eircuit as the motors 54, 59, but when the loom to be driven is large and heavy the motor 10 preferably is constructed to be operated from a three-phase eircuit of higher voltage than that supplied to the motors 54, 59. The main current supply wires for the motor 10 are indicated in the diagrammatic view of Fig. 9 by A. These wires are connected to the motor 10 by the conductors A1,l A2, A3 provided with the hand operated switch 60.

The starting and stopping of the motor 10 start and stop the loom may be Controlled the velectrically operated switch M having three switch elements shown and which are mechanically connected to cause the circuits of the conductors A1, A2, A3 to be simultaneously closed or opened.

The switch M is 'preferably Controlled by a solenoid or control coil S, the arrangement) being such that the switch M will be closed and held closed as long as the solenoid S is to by excited but will open automatically when the' current to the coil S 1s mcluded in w1res a,

It therefore follows that when the button 61 the noris actuated it will close the circuit a, c, d and excite the coil S to close the switch M and start the motor 10.

In order to prevent the switch M from opening as soon as the button 61 isvreleased, the switch M is provided with the auxiliary switch element 62 controlled by theV switch M and adapted to complete the circuit between the conductor A3 and the wire e when the switch M is closed. The arrangement is such that as soon as the push button 61 is actllated to close the switch M the circuit through the wire e will be completed and current. will be supplied to the solenoid through th is conductor after the push button 61 is released.` The loommay be stopped by actuating either of the normally closed push button switches 63, 63' included in the circuit e, b, c, d to cut ofi' the supply of current to the coil S.

It is desirable to stop the loom 1n case either an overload or under-voltage occurs in the main circuit A, and this is accomplished by including a thermal relay switch R in the coil controlling circuit c, d. The switch element R which may be constructed in a well known'manner isl provided with the coils f shown as connected in the circuits Al, A3, the arrangement being such that opening'of the relay switch R caused by an abnormal flow of current will open the switch M and stop the loom.v

The switch mechanism so, far described controls the loom Operating motor 10. The motors 54 and 59 foroperating the needle 13 are supplied with current from a main line B of the same' or lower Voltage than that sup- V plied by the line A. lThe main line B is connected by the conductors B1, B2, B3 to the magnetically controlled switch 64 for the motor 54, and the magnetically controlled switch 65 for the motor 59. The switch 64 is connected to the motor 54 by .the conductors B2 B5, Ba and the switch 65 is connected to with the lay movement of .thel loom,

the motor 59 by the'conductors B7, B8, B9. The switch 64 is controlled' by the'solenoid' or magnetic coil 66 and the switch 65 is controlled by thesimilar coil 67.

It will beapparent from what hasy just been said that when the solenoid 66 is excitel it will close the switchf64 and this will'flo'perate the motor54 .to insert the needle, and when the solenoid' 67 is'excited it will close the switch 65 and operate the motor 59 to retract the needle. z p

of the switches 64, 65 should Thev operation I be accurately controlled in timed relation A ;and to this endintthe construction shown a timing switch` 68 operated from the loom cam shaft` 694 is included in the circuit g, h connected to the solenoid 66, and a similar timing switch y'70. also operated from the cam shaft is included in the circuit leading to the solehas three angularlyspaced contact surfaces 71 adapted to be engaged by the contact brush 72 to close the circuit in which the timing device is included., The arrangement is such that ,rotation of the cam shaft 69 will cause one of thesurfaces 71 of the timing device 68 to engage the brush 7 2 throughout the needle inserting period, and will cause one ofithe' end in the construction shown the normally- 'close'd switch 7 8 is included in the circuit for the'solenoid 66 and the normally closed switch 74 is included in the circuit for the solenoid 67. The switch 73 is positioned to be engaged by an' adjustable stop 75 which is shown as scured to the needle, and the switch 74 is posltioned to be engagedJ by an adjustable stop 7 6 carried by the needle or a part controlled thereby. The arrangement is such.

that when the needle is fully inserted in the shed the stop 75 opens the vswitch 7 3 and stops the motor 54, and when the needle is fully retracted the stop 76 opens the switch 74 and stops the motor 59.

' It is desirable that means be provided for automatically opening the switches 64 and 65 to stop the needle Operating motors whenever the loom Operating motor 10 is stopped, and this is accomplished by placing the circuits for the. solenoids 66 and 67 under the control of the loom motor switch M. The circuit for the solenoids is therefore provided with the conductors k, Z having the switch 77 adapted` to be moved to and 'from its closed position by the movement of the switch M. The arrangement is such that the circuit for controlling the solenoids will be supplied with current only when the switch M for the loom motor is closed, and as a result theneedle control motors 54 and 59 can be operated only when the loom is running.

If theneedle 13 should fail from any cause to withtlraw'in time, the customary detector mechanism Operating in conjunction with the control for the vloom motor 10 willl romptlystop the loom to prevent a Smash.

In' addition to the controls above described for the motors 54, 59 it is desirable to provide means forsynchronizing the movement-of the needle with the movement of the rockershaft vorv other oscillating part of the loom to insure.

proper operation of the needle.j This=is accomplished in accordance with the present invention by providing the circuits for the solenoids 66 and 67 with switch mechanism conf* noid 67. Each of the'timing switches shown sisting of contacts one of which oscillates to rotate with the .back and forth in time relation lwith 'the needle movement and the other oscillates back and forth in timed relation with the rocker shaft movement.

The/means shown to this end in Figs. 5 and 6 and/ more or less diagrammatically shown in Fig. 9 consists ofv a contact 78 carried by a bracket 79 mounted upon or connected to the shaft 32 of the nee'dle inserting mechanism. The bracket 79 is provided with the Vcoiled spring 80 which causes the bracket 79 shaft 32 but permits a limited angular movement therebetween. The contact 78 is connected by the conductor 81 to the contact ring 82 mounted upon the bracket 79 and adapted to be engaged by a brush 83.

The contact 78 is supported by its bracket betweenithe spaced contacts 84, 85 adjustably mounted upon a bracket 86 that back and forth under the control of the rocker shaft or cam shaft. The bracket 86 is supported by the shaft 87 and has a projecting Operating arm 88 (see Fig. 7). Rocking movement is imparted to the arm 88 in' the construction shown by a connecting link 89 connected to the pinion'90 driven bya relab tively large bevel gear 91 secured to the cam shaft 69. The arrangement of the gears' 90, 91 and other connections is such that the back and forth movement imparted to the bracket 86 by the cam shaft Will correspond to the movement of the loom rocker shaft.

The contacts 84` 85 carried by the bracket 86 may be adjusted relative to the independently movable contact 78 to vary the space between the .contacts 84, 85, and the cont-act 84 is connected by a conductor 92 to a contact ring 93 having the cooperating bruh 94, while the contact 85 is connected by a conductor 95 to a ring 96 having the cooperating brush 97. lThe bracket 86 is nected toits Operating shaft 87 by the coiled spring 98. The contacts 7 8,'84 and 85 and the parts associated therewith are preferably enclosed in a casing 99, and the timing devices 68 and are enclosed in a housing 100.

The contact brush 94 is connected to the solenoid 66 by the conductor m and the contact brush 97 is connected to the solenoid 67 by the conductor n. The contact brush 83 is connected to the conductor o leading from any'suitable source of current supply such as one of the main conductors B. The conductor Z is also connected to a suitable source of supply such as a second Wire of the main conductors' B. Sparking between the various contacts for controlling the switches 64,

ductorq.v w x The operation of the' switch'es`just described is such that 'the mooscillates yieldingly con- 54 5 synchronizing started until the bracket 86 has been moved by the loom in a direction to cause its contact 84 to enga-ge the contact 78, and the motor 59 for retrac-ting the needle will not be started until the bracket 86 has been moved in the opposite direction to cause the contact 85 to engage the. contact 78. As a. result of this construction only one motor 54, 59 will operate at a tim'e and any Variation in the synchronized movement of the needle and rocker shaft will cause the contact 78 to move 'relative to the contact 84 or 85 to correct this defect in the timing of the needle operation. It will be understood that as long as the contact 78 is advanced by the needle Operating mechanism at the same speed at which the contact 84 or 85 is advanced by the loom, the circuit will be closed through the contacts, but a relative change in speed will disengage these contacts to stop the motor 54 or 59.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the source of power for Operating the weft needle is separate and independent from the source of power for Operating the loom, and as a result the movement of the needle may e readily Controlled to correspond to any condition of loom Operations, since all that is necessary to accomplish this is to vary the speed of the Operating motors and the adjustment of the switch mechanism for controlling the ,needle operation. For example: pronounced changes inthe operation of the needle may be secured by changing the angular position of the timing switches 68, 70 upon the cam shaft -69 and the length of the contact faces 71. The position at which the needle is brought to rest at the end of its stroke may be varied by adjusting the stops 7' 5, 76 and further changes may be sccured by modifying the speed of the motors 9. What is claimed is:

1.- In a loom, in combination, shed formingmechanism, a weft inserting needle, hydraulic mechanism for Operating the needle to insert weft threads, and means for automatically synchronizing the hydraulic movement of the needle With the movement of the shed forming mechanism including a controller having cooperating parts, one of which is driven from the loom mechanism and the other from the needle Operating; mechanism, movement of one of said parts relative to the other for controlling the operation of the' needle.

2. In a loom, in combination, shed forming mechanism, a lay, a weft inserting needle, hydraulic means .for Operating the needle 'to insert weft threads, and circuit closing 'means oontrolled by the rotating movement of a part' ofthe loom, and means controlledv by said circuit fsefecting the and means responsive to the hydraulic operation of the needle in timed-V relation with the lay movement.

3. In a loom, in combination, shed. forming mechanism, a weft inserting needle, a hydraulic operated piston at the side of the loom for inserting the needle in the shed, a

' the piston, and means for controlling the operation of the motor from a going part a of the loom.

5. In a loom, in combination, power means for Operating the loom, shed forming mechanism operable by the power means, a weft inserting needle, separate power means'including an electric motor for Operating the needle, and means for controlling the` operation of said separate power means from a going part of the loom and adapted to synchronize the needle movement with the loom Operations. a

6'. In a loom, in combination, power means fo`r Operating the loom, shed forming means operable by the power means, a 'weft inserting needle, a motor separat-e from the loom driving means for Operating the need le, and means for controlling said motor from a going part of the loom and adapted to synchronize the needle movement with the loom Operations. a

7 In a loom, in combination, power means for Operating the loom, shed forming mechanism, a weft inserting needle, a motor separate from the loom driving means for inserting the needle and another motor for retracting the needle, and means controlled by `a going part of theloorn to operate said inotors in timed relation with the loom operations.

8. In a loom, in combination, an electric motor for Operating the loom, shed forming mechanism, a weft inserting needle mounted for movement into and out of the shed, a second electric motor for Operating the needle, and switch mechanism controlled from a going part of the loom and adapted to actuate the second motor to Operate the needle in timed relation With the loom Operations.

9. In a loom, in combination, power means for driving the loom, shed formingmech-J anism operable from a going part of the loom, a weft inserting needle, a. motor for Operating the needle, switch mechanism con-v trolled from a goingr part of the loom and adapted to actuate the motor to operate the needle in timed relation with the loom operations, and-adjustable means associated with said switch mechanism for varying the control of the needle.

10. In a loom, in combination, power means.

for driving the loom, shed forming mechanism, a weft inserting needle mounted for movement into andout of the shed, an electric motor operable to insert the needle in the shed, switch mechanism adapted to be op,--

erated from a going part of the loom to start the needle inserting motor, and means for stopping the motor when the needle is fully a' inserted.

11. In a loom, incombination, power means for driving the loom, shed forming niech.- anism operable from a going part of the loom, a weft,inserting needle, an electric' motor operable to insert the needle. a second electric motor operable to retract the needle, and switch mechanism operable from a going part of the loom to start the motors to insert and retract the needle in timed relation with the loom Operations.

12. In a loom, in combination, power means for driving the loom, shed forming mechanism, a weft inserting needle, an electric motor operable to insert the needle, a second electric motor operable to retract the needle, switch mechanism operable from a going part of the loom to start the needle inserting motor, means for stopping the needle inserting motor when the needle is inserted, switch mechanism operable from a going-part of the loom to start the needle retracting motor, and means for stopping the needle retracting motor when the needle is retracted.

13. In a loom, in combination, power means for driving the loom, shed forming mechanism operable from the power means, a weft inserting needle, an electric motor for Operating the needle, switch mechanism Op- -erable from a going part of the loom to control the needle Operating motor, and additional switch mechanism having a part actuated by a-moving part of the loom and a part actuated by the needle Operating mechanism to synchronize the loom Operations and needle movement.

14. In a loom, in combination, power means for 7.driving the loom, shed formi'ng mechanism, a weft inserting needle, an electric motor for Operating vthe needle, and switch mechanism adapted to cooperate with a moving part of the loom and a moving part of the needle Operating mechanism to control and synchronize the needle movement with the loom Operations. 1

15, In a loom, in combination, power means for driving the loom, shed* forming mechanism, a weft inserting needle, an elec- 1 loom Operations, and. adjustable means asso- 'ciated with said switch mechanism to ,accommodate the o eration of the needle to uneven beats of the lbom.

16. In a loom, in' combination, power shed forming power means, a weft inserting needle, hydraulic operated means for actuating the needle, an electric circuit controlled from a going part of the loom and means Controlled by said circuit, for efecting the hydraulic operation of the needle in timed relation with the loom operations. .I

17. In a loom, in combination, power means for driving the loom, shed forming mechanism, a weft inserting needle, hydraulic operated means for actuating the needle, and means controlled from a going part of the loom for effecting the hydraulic operation of the needle in timed relation with the loom Operations, including electrical means operable by a going part of the loom and adapted to control the hydraulic operation of the needle.

18. In a loom, `in combination, power means for Operating the loom, shed forming mechanisms'operable from a going part of the loom, a weftt needle mounted for movement into and out of the shed, a separate and independent source of power for Operating the needle, means for synchronizing the needle movement and loom operation, including a controller J having a part actuated by the needle movement and a second part operable from a moving element of the loom, and means operable by the relative movement of said parts to modify the needle movement.

19. In a loom, in combination, power means for Operating the loom, shed forming mechanism operable from a going part of the loom, a weftneedle mounted for movement into and lout of the shed, a separate and independent source of power for inserting the needle, a second separate and independent source of'power for withdrawing the needle, and electric vmeans for synchronizing the needle movements with the loom Operations. 20. In a loom, in combination, power means for Operating the loom, shed forrhing' mechanism operable from a going part of the loom, a weft needle mounted for movement into and out of the shed, a separate and independent source of power for inserting the, needle, a second separate and independent source of power for withdrawing the needle, and means for synchronizing the needle movement with the 'loom Operations including a Controller having a part Iactuated 'by the needle movement and a second part actuated by a moving part of the loom:

21. In a loom in combination, power means for driving the loom, shed forming mechanism operable from the power means, a. weft inserting needle, hydraulic means for inserting and retracting the needle comprising a pair of cylinders each having a hydraulically operated piston, a rotating shaft connected to the needle, a rack and gear connection between one piston and said shaft/ to rotate the shaft'in the needle inserting direction and a rack and gear connection between the other piston and said shaft to retract the needle, and means forsynchronizing the hydraulic movement of the needle with the loom operations.

22. In a loom in combination, power means for driving the loom, shed forming mechanism operable from the power means, a weft inserting needle, hydraulic means for inserting and retracting the needle comprising a pair of cylinders each having a hydraulically operated piston, a rotating shaft connected to the needle, rack and gear connections between the pistons and shaft to rotate the latter and arranged so that the hydraulic movement of one piston serves to depress the other iston,

and means for synchronizing the 'hy raulic movement of the needle with the loom operations.

23. In a loom in combination, power means for driving the loom, shed forming mechanism operable fr'om the power means, a weft inserting needle, hydraulic means for operating said needle including a cylinder having a hydraulic operated piston, a rotating shaft operatively connected to the needle, a rack and gear connection between the shaft and piston to operate the shaft, and means for synchronizing the hydraulic movement of the needle with the loom Operations.

24. In a loom in combination, power means for driving the loom, shed forming mechanism operable from the power means, a weft inserting needle, hydraulic means for operating said needle including a cylinder having a hydraulic piston, means for imparting a multiplied movement from the piston to the needle including a rack connected to the piston and a large segmented gear actuated by the rack and operatively connected to the needle, and means for synchronizing the movement of the needle with the loom opera- "tions.

- 25. r In a loom in combination, power means for drivingTthe loom, shed forming mechanism operable from the power means, a weft inserting needle, hydraulic means for inserting and retracting the needle comprising a pair of cylinders each having a hydraulic operated piston operatively connected to the Jneedle, a power operated pump for forcing a liquid into the lower portion 4of one cylindei' to move the insert the needle, a second power operated pump for` forcing a liquid into the lower portion of the other cylinder to move its piston in a direct-ion to retract the needle, and means for-Operating said pumps in timed relation with the needle movement-o 26. In a needle loom, the combination of piston in' a. direction to w 'nected 'to the needle forfinserting and withshed forming mechanism, a weft inserting needle, 'a rotating shaftoperatively condrawing` the needle, a 'gear operativeiy connected to the shaft for rotating it, hydraulic w means for rotat-ng said gear, comprising two hydraulic cylinders, a piston Operating in each cylinder, a rack connected to each of the 'pistons and operatively connected to said gear for rotating it in one direction to insert the needle in the shed and then in the opposite direction to withdraw the needle from the shed.

275111. a needle 100m, the combination of shed forlning mechanism, a weft inserting needle, hydraulic means for inserting thev needle into the shed and withdrawing it therefrom comprising two cylinders each having a hydraulicaily operated piston, a rotatingV shaft operatively connected to the needle, and connection from the two hydraulically' operated pistons to the said shaft for rotating it in one direction by movement of one of said pistons to insertthe needle and rotating it in the opposite direction by the other of said pistons to Withdraw the needle.

w the 'operation of the two pumps to effect 28. In a needle m, the combination of shed forming mechanism, a weft inserting needle,hydrau1ic means for inserting and retracting the needle comprising two cylinders each having a hydraulically operated piston, a pump associated with each of the cylinders to iinpart Operating movement to the pistons, connection between each piston and the Vweft inserting needle, and means for controlling movcment of the needle in one direction by one of said pistons and cause the other piston to move in its idle stroke to effect movement of the needle first in one and then in the opposite direction.

29. In a needle 100m, the combination of shed forming mechanism, a weft inserting needle,V rotating means connected to the nee- L dle to effect its insertion into and withdrawal from the shed, hydraulic means for operating the rotating means first in onev direction to insert the needle and then in the opposite direction to withdraw the needle, comprising two cylinders each having a hydraulically operated piston connected to said rotating means, and devices. to control the flow of fluid pressure in said cylinders that one of the pistons lmalyT be moved in its Operating stroke to turn said rotating means to m'ove the needle in one direction andvefiect idle movement of the other piston.

` In testimony whereof, I have signed my o name' to this specification.

EDWIN w. STONE. 

